Hyundai Heavy Industries Group Accelerates the Era of Autonomous Ships

[Asia Economy Reporter Park So-yeon] Hyundai Heavy Industries Group is accelerating the advancement of smart ships by successfully applying core autonomous navigation technologies to large vessels.

On the 9th, Hyundai Heavy Industries Group announced that it has equipped SK Shipping's 250,000-ton bulk carrier with the advanced 'Navigation Support System (HiNAS)'. Hyundai Heavy Industries Group has completed verification of HiNAS through multiple sea trials, and this is the world's first application of this technology on a large vessel in actual operation.

HiNAS, jointly developed by Hyundai Heavy Industries Group and KAIST, is a system in which artificial intelligence (AI) automatically recognizes surrounding vessels through ship camera analysis, assesses collision risks, and notifies navigators based on augmented reality (AR).

In particular, even in situations where visibility is limited due to night or sea fog, it can comprehensively analyze and provide information such as the location and speed of obstacles by utilizing infrared cameras.

With this, Hyundai Heavy Industries Group has added HiNAS, which helps avoid collisions, to its existing smart ship technologies, accelerating its lead in the autonomous ship market.

Previously, in 2017, the group developed the 'Integrated Smart Ship Solution (ISS)', a ship IoT platform that collects ship data in real time to efficiently manage energy and provide optimal navigation routes, and has secured orders for more than 150 vessels to date.

Additionally, Hyundai Heavy Industries Group recently completed development of the 'Berthing Assistance System (HiBAS; Hyundai Intelligence Berthing Assistance System)', which provides a comprehensive view of the surroundings during ship docking and undocking.

An SK Shipping official stated, "Ship-related accidents can lead to significant damage, so ship safety is of utmost importance," adding, "By introducing this autonomous navigation assistance technology, we will enhance the economic efficiency and safety of ships and provide stable transportation services."

According to global market research firm Acute Market Reports, the autonomous ship and related equipment market is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 12.8%, reaching a market size of $155 billion by 2025.

A Hyundai Heavy Industries Group official said, "Autonomous ships are future vessels that integrate Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, and AI," adding, "Through proactive technology development, we will advance the era of autonomous ships and secure leadership in the rapidly growing related market."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.